"Today has been a testament of the strength, resilience, and contributions of women who continue to break barriers and pave the way for a more just and equitable world."
— Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head, Co-Axis
Digital impact marketplace Co-Axis, an initiative by Temasek Trust, partnered with investment bank UBS and women’s charity YWCA of Singapore to co-organise a community engagement event this March to mark International Women’s Day.
Themed Accelerating Impact, the evening brought together investors, leaders, and changemakers in the philanthropy and impact sector, fostering connections with like-minded individuals focused on supporting and advancing women’s empowerment.
The event also spotlighted the impactful work of individuals and organisations, including Co-Axis impact partners: EMpower, South Central Community Family Service Centre (SCCFSC), and YWCA.
Their projects are featured on the Co-Axis platform, which connects around 100 projects from over 40 countries with funders. In addition to gender-focused projects, Co-Axis has curated impact opportunities across categories such as climate, health, employment, education, and more.
Unlocking the Potential of Strategic, Targeted Support
“These remarkable organisations are creating real opportunities for women and girls,” said Co-Axis' Ms. Joycelyn Ong of the impact ventures at the event.
The work of organisations including EMpower, SCCFSC, and YWCA demonstrates the importance of targeted support and strategic investment.
However, funding remains a challenge, as investments tend to prioritise high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence and deep tech, said Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head, Co-Axis. Unlike these industries, gender-focused initiatives take time to demonstrate measurable change, as they address deep-rooted societal challenges.
Funders hence play a critical role. By deploying their capital, funders enable initiatives that empower women, strengthen communities, and create lasting economic impact, Ms. Ong said.
She encouraged funders, changemakers, and partners to take action: "Engage with impact ventures through Co-Axis and UBS Optimus Foundation, explore funding opportunities, and contribute to solutions that uplift women, strengthen families, and build more inclusive economies."
Uplifting Communities: Co-Axis Impact Opportunities
At the event, EMpower, SCCFSC, and YWCA showcased their initiatives supporting underserved women across Singapore and Asia. Attendees heard from the changemakers on how they are driving positive outcomes and empowering women and youth in Singapore and beyond.
Ms. Henna Hemnani, Director of Development for Asia at EMpower.
EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation bridges finance and youth empowerment, supporting local organisations in emerging market countries that provide youth with the tools, skills, and resources they need to lead healthy, productive lives. EMpower’s youth-forward strategies ensure that young women have a voice, a platform, and the means to drive systemic change in their communities.
The KeyStart Home Ownership Impact Fund, another impact opportunity on Co-Axis, supports the KeyStart Home Ownership Programme managed by SCCFSC. The fund, administered by Asia Community Foundation, aims to assist low-income families in Singapore to access and achieve home ownership.
The SCCFSC team, including Ms. Nurhidayah Binte Sazali (middle), at the Co-Axis booth.
The SCCFSC also supports the Hey Mama! community-led initiative — a support group for low-income mothers living in rental neighbourhoods, started by Ms. Nurhidayah Binte Sazali, a community worker at the centre.
Meanwhile, YWCA’s Women Business Accelerator programme empowers women from disadvantaged backgrounds to set up their own businesses, so they can have more flexible working arrangements to balance caregiving and work responsibilities, in addition to securing a stable source of income. The Women Business Accelerator is an impact opportunity on Co-Axis.
The YWCA of Singapore team speaking with attendees at the event.
Leveraging Long-Term, Collaborative Philanthropy for Impact
At the community engagement event, attendees also heard from esteemed speakers and panellists:
- Ms. Patricia Quek, Business Sector Head, Singapore and Malaysia, UBS Global Wealth Management
- Ms. Anita Fam, President, National Council of Social Service (NCSS)
- Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head, Co-Axis
- Ms. Koh Lin-Net, Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP), and Lead, Institutional Relations, Temasek Trust
- Ms. Sim Hwee Hoon, President of the Board, YWCA of Singapore
- Ms. Sheryl Fofaria, Head of Social Impact & Philanthropy, Southeast Asia, UBS Global Wealth Management
- Ms. Debra Tay, Market Team Head, Singapore & Malaysia, UBS Global Wealth Management
Ms. Patricia Quek (left) from UBS Global Wealth Management and Ms. Anita Fam from NCSS speaking at the session.
Ms. Anita Fam from NCSS delivered a keynote on her personal impact journey as well as why building capacity and capabilities in the impact sector is crucial for sustainable, lasting change.
A strategic, long-term approach to philanthropy and purpose-driven giving can also amplify impact. Ms. Fam encouraged participants to reflect on the causes they are passionate about and their priorities in giving, and invite others with expertise to journey with them in the process.
"I now look at philanthropy as an amplifier. How can I make sure that the dollar I give will actually yield more than what the dollar is worth?"
— Ms. Anita Fam, President, NCSS
Economic Empowerment Plays a Crucial Role
Panellists explored the many ways individuals and organisations can take bold and deliberate steps to remove systemic barriers and biases that hold women back. This can be achieved in many areas — including education, employment, healthcare, financial inclusion, and leadership.
(From left) Ms. Koh Lin-Net, CIIP and Temasek Trust; Ms. Sim Hwee Hoon, YWCA of Singapore; and Ms. Sheryl Fofaria, UBS Global Wealth Management, during the discussion moderated by Ms. Debra Tay, UBS Global Wealth Management.
Impact investors can play a major role in helping impact-driven businesses continue to thrive even during tough times, one panellist noted.
Giving can also take many forms, including tapping into market mechanisms to maximise the impact of small contribution sums. It is important for investors to be intentional in understanding the impact goals of financial institutions and also stay the course, even if the returns turn out to be lower than expected at the start.
Another panellist pointed to the 'multiplier effect' in supporting women: "When you help one woman, you help her entire family." One way to support mothers is to empower them economically and help them channel their passions into a sustainable source of income. For instance, YWCA’s Empowering Mums project equips back-to-work mothers from low-income families with life and work skills to improve their employability.
Asked about their hopes for the future, panellists spoke of their desire for more collaboration and for more women to step forward to serve the community.
Driving Lasting Change, Together
Empowering women requires a collective effort. This includes strategically mobilising capital and providing sustained support to impact-driven initiatives at the forefront of women’s advancement.
Together, we can pave the way for growth and accelerate real impact for women and girls.
For more on Co-Axis and its curated impact opportunities, explore the digital impact marketplace.
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